Saturday was a gorgeous day and my family was poolside for the most of it. Admittedly, I was dreading trying to get my four-year-old to leave the sounds of summer, and go to All People's Church to help serve.

"Time to go guys, it's time to go be helpers." The reply: "Ok, Mama." Not a request for five more minutes or a final trip down the slide, just pure compliance. My family left with no complaints and we were in the car and ready to go in miraculous time. Audrey filled the drive with questions of how many kids were going to be there and what we would get to do.

As soon as we got to the bottom of the stairs, Audrey was asking for her apron and my husband, Dustin, let me put a hairnet on him with a minimal eye roll. We were greeted warmly by Miss LaDonna and the rest of the staff, who made us feel right at home. When the meal started I got to watch Audrey eagerly follow her dad around with a stack of cups, chatting up guests, as they poured drinks. I have to credit my families enthusiasm to the energy and spirit of other TOAM families. I loved listening to the other children figure out how to share tasks, "that way we can both help." I'm so glad we ditched the pool and had this experience together.

Toddlers and Kids on a Mission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, through which persons of diverse color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, family configuration, enablement and socioeconomic status learn and serve together.